Ingredient Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Da Qing Yan

Halite · 大青盐

Halite (Sodium chloride) · Halitum

Also known as: Rong Yan (戎盐), Qing Yan (青盐)

Dà Qīng Yán, also known as Halite or green salt, is a mineral salt used in Chinese medicine to clear Heat and cool the Blood. It is often used for bleeding gums, mouth sores, red eyes, and blood in the urine. Externally, heated Dà Qīng Yán packs are applied to relieve joint and muscle pain.

Category Herbs that clear Heat and cool the Blood (清热凉血药) Hemostatic herbs (止血药)
Therapeutic focus Eye health Oral health Bleeding support Pain relief

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Salty (咸 xián)

Channels entered

Heart, Kidneys, Urinary Bladder

Parts used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Ingredient Does

Every ingredient has a specific set of actions — here's what Da Qing Yan does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Da Qing Yan is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Eye health Oral health Bleeding support Pain relief

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Da Qing Yan performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Heat Cools the Blood Stops bleeding Brightens the eyes

How these actions work

Clears Heat: Dà Qīng Yán's cold nature reduces excess Heat in the body, particularly in the Heart, Stomach, and Kidney channels. This helps conditions like fever, restlessness, and inflammatory symptoms.

Cools the Blood: By cooling the Blood, it prevents Heat from causing reckless bleeding (such as nosebleeds, vomiting blood, or blood in the urine). It is used when bleeding is due to Heat rather than deficiency.

Stops bleeding: Directly astringes and stops bleeding, especially from the gums, digestive tract, or urinary tract. It is often applied topically for gum bleeding or taken internally for internal bleeding.

Brightens the eyes: Clears Heat and cools Blood that rises to the eyes, reducing redness, swelling, and pain. It can be used as an eye wash for acute conjunctivitis or chronic inflammatory eye conditions.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Da Qing Yan is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Da Qing Yan addresses this pattern

Dà Qīng Yán is salty and cold, entering the Heart and Kidney channels. It directly cools the Blood and clears Heat, addressing the root of Heat in the Blood pattern where Heat forces blood to move recklessly, causing bleeding from various orifices. Its salty nature also helps to drain Heat downward, harmonizing the Blood and stopping bleeding.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hematemesis

Vomiting of blood due to Heat in the Blood

Hematuria

Blood in the urine from Heat scorching the Blood

Conjunctivitis

Red, swollen, painful eyes from Blood-Heat

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Da Qing Yan is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Stomach Fire (Stomach Heat)

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, healthy gums depend on Stomach Yin and the proper downward flow of Stomach Qi. When Stomach Fire flares upward, it burns the gum tissue, causing redness, swelling, pain, and bleeding. This is often triggered by excessive spicy or greasy foods, emotional stress, or constitutional Heat.

Why Da Qing Yan Helps

Dà Qīng Yán is cold and salty, directly clearing Stomach Fire and cooling the Blood. Its salty flavor also helps to drain Heat downward, redirecting the pathological upward flow. Applied topically as a powder or rinse, it delivers the cooling action right to the gums, reducing inflammation and stopping bleeding.

Also commonly used for

Hematemesis

Taken orally to cool Blood and stop bleeding from the upper digestive tract

Hematuria

Cools Blood and stops bleeding in the urinary tract

Toothache

Reduces gum inflammation and tooth pain caused by Stomach Fire

Arthralgia

Heated and applied externally as a hot pack to relieve joint and muscle pain

Ingredient Properties

Every ingredient has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Salty (咸 xián)

Channels Entered

Heart Kidneys Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Da Qing Yan — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

1.2–2.5 g in decoction; or as powder/pill.

Maximum dosage

Do not exceed 3 g per dose without practitioner supervision. Higher doses may cause gastric irritation and fluid retention.

Dosage notes

The therapeutic window is narrow; the standard internal dose is 1.2–2.5 g. For external applications, larger quantities can be heated for hot compresses to treat joint pain and cold-damp conditions. Prolonged internal use in patients with Spleen-Yang deficiency can damage digestive function.

Preparation

Da Qing Yan is water-soluble and can be added directly to the decoction; no special preparation is needed. For external compresses, heat-fry the salt in a dry wok until hot, wrap in a cloth, and apply.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same ingredient can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Da Qing Yan does

Processing method

Heated in a covered container until the salt turns red, then cooled.

How it changes properties

Reduces the cold and salty nature slightly, enhances astringent action and directs the herb more strongly to the Kidney channel.

When to use this form

Used for chronic eye disorders with deficiency heat, loose teeth from Kidney deficiency, and when a slightly warmer, more tonifying effect is desired.

Common Ingredient Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Da Qing Yan for enhanced therapeutic effect

Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu Equal parts (1:1)

Dà Qīng Yán clears Heat and brightens the eyes, while Cāng Zhú dries Dampness and also benefits the eyes. Together they treat eye disorders characterized by Damp-Heat, such as red, swollen, tearing eyes with a sensation of heaviness.

When to use: For chronic or acute eye conditions where Dampness and Heat combine, causing blurred vision, excessive tearing, and redness.

Fu Ling
Fu Ling Dà Qīng Yán 1-2g : Fú Líng 12-15g

Dà Qīng Yán cools Blood and stops bleeding; Fú Líng promotes urination and leaches out Dampness. Together they address hematuria due to Damp-Heat in the Bladder, cooling Blood while draining the pathogenic Dampness.

When to use: For urinary tract bleeding with signs of Damp-Heat, such as dark, scanty urine, painful urination, and blood in the urine.

Sang Ye
Sang Ye 1:1 (Dà Qīng Yán 1.5-2.5g : Sāng Yè 6-10g)

Both herbs clear Heat, but Sāng Yè also disperses Wind-Heat from the upper body. Paired, they effectively treat red, painful eyes from Wind-Heat or Blood-Heat, with Dà Qīng Yán cooling the Blood and Sāng Yè releasing the exterior.

When to use: For acute conjunctivitis or eye redness accompanied by mild fever, headache, or early-stage external Wind-Heat.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Da Qing Yan in a prominent role

Gui Ling Ji 龟龄集 Envoy

In this complex Kidney-Yang tonic formula, Dà Qīng Yán serves as an envoy, guiding the other herbs into the Kidney channel. Its salty, cold nature also balances the warm tonics, preventing excessive Heat while supporting the formula's overall action of strengthening Kidney Yang.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Mang Xiao
Da Qing Yan vs Mang Xiao

Both are salty, cold minerals that clear Heat. However, Máng Xiāo purges accumulation and softens hardness, primarily used for constipation and abdominal masses, while Dà Qīng Yán cools Blood and stops bleeding, used for bleeding gums, hematuria, and eye disorders.

Xuan Shen
Da Qing Yan vs Xuan Shen

Both cool the Blood and clear Heat, but Xuán Shēn also nourishes Yin and is used for Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire. Dà Qīng Yán is purely for Excess Heat in the Blood and lacks the nourishing aspect, making it more suitable for acute bleeding and inflammatory conditions.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Da Qing Yan

Da Qing Yan is sometimes confused with common table salt (食盐), which is refined and often contains added iodine. It is also distinct from Guang Ming Yan (光明盐), a purer, colorless, transparent halite crystal with fewer impurities, traditionally used for clearing eye heat and resolving phlegm.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any ingredient.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Da Qing Yan

Non-toxic

Da Qing Yan is essentially sodium chloride with trace mineral impurities. At therapeutic doses (1.2–2.5 g) it is non-toxic. Acute oral LD50 in mice is approximately 2.789 g/kg, comparable to common salt. However, excessive intake can cause fluid retention, elevated blood pressure, gastric irritation, and electrolyte imbalance. Patients with hypertension, renal disease, or edema should avoid use. The processed form (煅) removes some soluble impurities and may reduce the cold, salty nature.

Contraindications

Situations where Da Qing Yan should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Edema — patients with edema or water retention should not use Da Qing Yan because its salty nature may worsen fluid accumulation.

Avoid

Vomiting — the classical text《得配本草》states vomiting patients are prohibited from using this herb.

Caution

Excessive use — prolonged or high-dose use may damage Spleen-Yang, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. High sodium intake may exacerbate edema and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Not recommended in patients with preeclampsia. Always consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Breastfeeding

No established restrictions; the small therapeutic doses (1–2.5 g) are unlikely to pose risk. Normal dietary sodium is present in breast milk. However, excessive intake should be avoided, especially if the mother has hypertension or fluid retention.

Children

Use lower doses based on body weight. Avoid in infants unless specifically directed by a practitioner. Monitor sodium intake in children with renal or cardiovascular conditions.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Da Qing Yan

Da Qing Yan, being primarily sodium chloride, may interact with:

  • Antihypertensive drugs and diuretics: the added sodium load may reduce their effectiveness.
  • ACE inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics: possible hyperkalemia risk due to altered mineral balance.
  • Corticosteroids: concurrent use can increase fluid retention and potassium loss.

Patients with hypertension, renal disease, or heart failure should use with caution and monitor sodium intake.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Da Qing Yan

Limit intake of raw, cold, and greasy foods during treatment to protect Spleen Yang. Reduce overall dietary salt to prevent fluid retention, especially in patients prone to edema.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Da Qing Yan source mineral

Da Qing Yan is not a plant but a mineral — the crystalline form of halite (rock salt) from salt lake deposits. It belongs to the isometric crystal system, typically occurring as cubic, octahedral, or rhombic crystals, often with funnel-shaped growth pits on the faces. The crystals are white to greyish-white, sometimes with a bluish-grey tint, and are semi-transparent with a glassy luster. They are hard and brittle, easily broken, with a clean, bright fracture surface. The mineral forms in evaporite basins in arid regions, often intergrown with gypsum and mirabilite. It is composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl) with trace minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Da Qing Yan is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Year-round; most commonly collected from June to August from salt lakes.

Primary growing regions

青海 (Qinghai) province is traditionally regarded as the 道地药材 (dào dì yào cái) region, especially the salt lakes around Qaidam Basin. Also produced in 内蒙古 (Inner Mongolia), 新疆 (Xinjiang), 西藏 (Tibet), and 四川 (Sichuan).

Quality indicators

Good quality Da Qing Yan consists of large, uniform crystals with a clean white or slightly bluish-grey color, semi-transparent with a bright glassy luster. The fracture surface should be clean and shiny. It should taste distinctly salty with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Inferior grades contain many impurities (yellow, brown, or black discolorations) and lack luster.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Da Qing Yan and its therapeutic uses

《神农本草经》："主明目，目痛，益气，坚筋骨，去骨蛊。"
(Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: "Mainly brightens the eyes, stops eye pain, boosts Qi, strengthens bones and sinews, and removes bone parasites.")

《名医别录》："主心腹痛，溺血，吐血，齿舌血出。"
(Ming Yi Bie Lu: "Mainly treats heart and abdominal pain, blood in the urine, vomiting blood, and bleeding from teeth and tongue.")

《本草拾遗》："主眼赤眦烂风赤，细研水和点目中。又入腹去热烦，痰满，头痛，明目，镇心，水研服之。"
(Ben Cao Shi Yi: "Mainly treats red, ulcerated canthi and wind-redness; grind finely, mix with water, and apply to eyes. Also, when taken internally, it clears heat and irritability, fullness of phlegm, headache, brightens eyes, and calms the heart; take ground in water.")

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Da Qing Yan's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Da Qing Yan has been used medicinally since the earliest Chinese medical texts. It appears in the Wu Shi Er Bing Fang (Recipes for Fifty-Two Ailments) from the Han dynasty, and is described in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Over centuries, it was valued not only for internal conditions like bleeding and eye inflammation but also for daily hygiene — during the Qing dynasty it was used as a tooth powder and mouth rinse, as famously mentioned in the novel Dream of the Red Chamber when Baoyu cleans his teeth with it.

In the Ming dynasty, Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu clarified that "blue salt" (青盐) is the same as "Rong salt" (戎盐), noting that it came from the western regions and had a superior quality with a bluish tint. The name "Da Qing Yan" (literally "big blue salt") became standard in modern pharmacopoeias to distinguish the medicinal product from ordinary table salt. During the Qing dynasty, the Qianlong emperor famously insisted on using Qinghai green salt for his meals and medicine, leading to official state control of salt lake production.